In Bengaluru, the absence of any regulatory control on private school fees has opened the door to unchecked fee hikes and troubling financial arrangements. Many private schools are now partnering with private financiers to offer fee payment through EMIs (Equated Monthly Installments), a move that has sparked serious concern among parent groups.

These arrangements are being criticized as a way to mask unaffordable fees behind monthly payments, pushing middle-class families into long-term debt. Parents argue that such practices turn basic education into a commercialised, loan-driven service, rather than addressing the core issue — the state’s failure to introduce a fee cap or transparent regulations.

For instance, nursery admissions alone can cost between ₹1.5 to ₹2 lakh in several Bengaluru schools. On top of that, parents must shell out up to ₹30,000 more for transport, books, uniforms, and co-curricular activities. With costs rising each year, the financial burden only intensifies.

Some schools justify EMI schemes as a means to help families manage upfront costs. However, parents say the reality is far from supportive. “These loans often come with steep interest rates, and many of us weren’t told the full terms before signing,” said Shalini Kamath, a parent from Brookefield. “There’s little transparency, and many families face harassment from agents when payments are delayed.”

The call for government regulation has grown louder, with parents demanding intervention before more families fall into debt just to secure their children’s education.

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